The Murder on the Links Read Online Free

descending to start her work, found the front door ajar. Feeling a momentary alarm as to burglars, she looked into the dining room, but seeing the silver was safe she thought no more about it, concluding that her master had, without doubt, risen early, and gone for a stroll.”
    â€œPardon, monsieur, for interrupting, but was that a common practice of his?”
    â€œNo, it was not, but old Françoise has the common idea as regards the English—that they are mad, and liable to do the most unaccountable things at any moment! Going to call her mistress as usual, a young maid, Léonie, was horrified to discover her gagged and bound, and almost at the same moment news was brought that Monsieur Renauld’s body had been discovered, stone dead, stabbed in the back.”
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œThat is one of the most extraordinary features of the case. Monsieur Poirot, the body was lying face downwards, in an open grave. ”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYes. The pit was freshly dug—just a few yards outside the boundary of the villa grounds.”
    â€œAnd it had been dead—how long?”
    Dr. Durand answered this.
    â€œI examined the body this morning at ten o’clock. Death must have taken place at least seven, and possibly ten hours previously.”
    â€œH’m! that fixes it at between midnight and 3 a.m.”
    â€œExactly, and Mrs. Renauld’s evidence places it at after 2 a.m., which narrows the field still farther. Death must have been instantaneous, and naturally could not have been self-inflicted.”
    Poirot nodded, and the commissary resumed:
    â€œMadame Renauld was hastily freed from the cords that bound her by the horrified servants. She was in a terrible condition of weakness, almost unconscious from the pain of her bonds. It appears that two masked men entered the bedroom, gagged and bound her, while forcibly abducting her husband. This we know at second hand from the servants. On hearing the tragic news, she fell at once into an alarming state of agitation. On arrival, Dr. Durand immediately prescribed a sedative, and we have not yet been able to question her. But without doubt she will awake more calm, and be equal to bearing the strain of the interrogation.”
    The commissary paused.
    â€œAnd the inmates of the house, monsieur?”
    â€œThere is old Françoise, the housekeeper, she lived for many years with the former owners of the Villa Geneviève. Then there are two young girls, sisters, Denise and Léonie Oulard. Their home is in Merlinville, and they come of most respectable parents. Then there is the chauffeur whom Monsieur Renauld brought over from England with him, but he is away on a holiday. Finally there are Madame Renauld and her son, Monsieur Jack Renauld. He, too, is away from home at present.”
    Poirot bowed his head. M. Hautet spoke:
    â€œMarchaud!”
    The sergent de ville appeared.
    â€œBring in the woman Françoise.”
    The man saluted, and disappeared. In a moment or two he returned, escorting the frightened Françoise.
    â€œYour name is Françoise Arrichet?”
    â€œYes, monsieur.”
    â€œYou have been a long time in service at the Villa Geneviève?”
    â€œEleven years with Madame la Vicomtesse. Then when she sold the Villa this spring, I consented to remain on with the English milor’. Never did I imagine—”
    The magistrate cut her short.
    â€œWithout doubt, without doubt. Now, Françoise, in this matter of the front door, whose business was it to fasten it at night?”
    â€œMine, monsieur. Always I saw to it myself.”
    â€œAnd last night?”
    â€œI fastened it as usual.”
    â€œYou are sure of that?”
    â€œI swear it by the blessed saints, monsieur.”
    â€œWhat time would that be?”
    â€œThe same time as usual, half past ten, monsieur.”
    â€œWhat about the rest of the household, had they gone up to bed?”
    â€œMadame had